The IRS considers anything on a 1099-NEC to be self employment income. TurboTax (TT) aggressively steers you in that direction, even if the amount is on a 1099-Misc. If you try reporting 1099-NEC income as anything else, you chances of hearing from the IRS are higher.
That said, yours is a common situation and the "sporadic activity" is the most recommended way to go, in this forum.
